02-29-2008, 06:10 PM
VENICE, Neb. - Nebraska anglers will have more opportunity than ever before to catch trout from the Two Rivers State Recreation Area's popular trout lake near Venice when it opens at 7 a.m. March 15, rather than on April 1.
Anglers will have the opportunity to catch some of the 12,000 10- to 11-inch rainbow trout that will be available to them when the lake opens. There will also be the opportunity for lucky anglers to catch one or more of the 25 1- to 3-pound trout that also will be stocked for opening day.
The change in the annual opening date at the trout lake will give anglers an additional three weekends of trout fishing before water quality decreases in late June and fishing slows. Beginning this year, the Two Rivers trout lake will open the third Saturday in March.
The trout lake is open from 7 a.m. to sunset each day. To fish there, anglers must purchase a daily trout tag from the Two Rivers office. The tag sells for $4 and allows the taking of four trout. An angler may purchase a maximum of three tags each day and is allowed 12 trout in possession. Anglers possessing trout on any other lake at Two Rivers SRA must have a trout tag as well. Anglers are asked to return their tag to the office at the end of their fishing day, as the information collected from each tag is critical in helping fisheries biologists determine catch rates and stocking rates.
An adult angler is allowed to be accompanied by two children under the age of 16, but the group bag limit is still limited to four trout per tag. Anglers are allowed to use one fishing rod and reel each.
Steve Wilhelm, superintendent of the Grove Lake Trout Rearing Station, which supplies the trout stocked at Two Rivers trout lake, says anglers will find it is best to use lighter tackle for trout and recommends 4- to 6-pound test line and small hooks, such as size 12 or 14. Nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, or PowerBait are good baits, as are small spinners.
Wilhelm reminds anglers catch-and-release fishing is not allowed at the Two Rivers trout lake, a rule that must be observed even by fly anglers, many of whom adhere strictly to the catch-and-release philosophy.
Two Rivers trout anglers must possess a current Nebraska fishing license. All vehicles entering the area are required to have a current Nebraska park entry permit.
Anglers will have the opportunity to catch some of the 12,000 10- to 11-inch rainbow trout that will be available to them when the lake opens. There will also be the opportunity for lucky anglers to catch one or more of the 25 1- to 3-pound trout that also will be stocked for opening day.
The change in the annual opening date at the trout lake will give anglers an additional three weekends of trout fishing before water quality decreases in late June and fishing slows. Beginning this year, the Two Rivers trout lake will open the third Saturday in March.
The trout lake is open from 7 a.m. to sunset each day. To fish there, anglers must purchase a daily trout tag from the Two Rivers office. The tag sells for $4 and allows the taking of four trout. An angler may purchase a maximum of three tags each day and is allowed 12 trout in possession. Anglers possessing trout on any other lake at Two Rivers SRA must have a trout tag as well. Anglers are asked to return their tag to the office at the end of their fishing day, as the information collected from each tag is critical in helping fisheries biologists determine catch rates and stocking rates.
An adult angler is allowed to be accompanied by two children under the age of 16, but the group bag limit is still limited to four trout per tag. Anglers are allowed to use one fishing rod and reel each.
Steve Wilhelm, superintendent of the Grove Lake Trout Rearing Station, which supplies the trout stocked at Two Rivers trout lake, says anglers will find it is best to use lighter tackle for trout and recommends 4- to 6-pound test line and small hooks, such as size 12 or 14. Nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, or PowerBait are good baits, as are small spinners.
Wilhelm reminds anglers catch-and-release fishing is not allowed at the Two Rivers trout lake, a rule that must be observed even by fly anglers, many of whom adhere strictly to the catch-and-release philosophy.
Two Rivers trout anglers must possess a current Nebraska fishing license. All vehicles entering the area are required to have a current Nebraska park entry permit.